Mediant and submediant chords

The prefix sub is Latin for “under” or “beneath”. The third note is called the mediant since it is in the middle of the tonic and dominant. Likewise, the sixth note is called the submediant since it is in the middle of the upper tonic and subdominant. The second note is called the supertonic.

1. Which is a mediant chord?
2. What are the tonic subdominant and dominant chords?
3. What are chromatic mediant chords?
4. Why is the submediant above the mediant?

Which is a mediant chord?

The mediant chord is the least used of the seven standard diatonic chords; it is more common in minor keys than it is in major keys. The mediant chord functions as a very weak pre-dominant — so weak that it almost always leads to stronger pre-dominant chords, rarely progressing directly to V.

What are the tonic subdominant and dominant chords?

The tonic chord is the first (or root) chord of the key. ... The subdominant chord is the fourth chord of the key. It emphasizes motion away from the tonic chord and sets up the tension. The dominant chord is the fifth chord of the key.

What are chromatic mediant chords?

In music, chromatic mediants are "altered mediant and submediant chords." A chromatic mediant relationship defined conservatively is a relationship between two sections and/or chords whose roots are related by a major third or minor third, and contain one common tone (thereby sharing the same quality, i.e. major or ...

Why is the submediant above the mediant?

An aside - why is the submediant above the mediant when the subdominant is below the dominant? ... The Subdominant isn't "one under the Dominant", it's "as far below the Tonic as the Dominant is above". If you start at the right hand Tonic and move left, the Submediant is halfway between the Tonic and the Subdominant.